Leaf spring



Feb-27, 1923. 1,446,908

E. L. KUNZ ET AL.

LEAF SPRING Filed Jan. 12, 1922 flo vl sa Hgf/g @Se ai I'QENTORS.

75 Y Fly/4 EDWARD/ .Ku/vz. 75 BY HARRY BARCHE.

Patented Feb. 27, 1923.

g- 1,446,9ee

ED'VJ'ARD L. KUNZ AND HARRY'DARC'HE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

LEAF SPRING.

Application filed January 12, 1922. Serial No. 528,828.

T0 all whom t may con cern- Bc it known that we. EDWARD L, KUNZ and Hanny BARCHE, citizens of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of ew York, have invented certa-in new and useful Improvements in Leaf Springs, of which the following is a specification'. 1 A

This invention relates to leaf springs for automobiles and other vehicles and more particularly to ineans'adapted to be inserted between the leaves to take up friction and increase t-he easy riding qualities of the vehicle by increasing the amount of flexion of the spring leaves.

Leaf springs are made without any separating elements between the leaves soY that each lleaf rests directly upon the one below. lVhen the spring fle-Kes under load these leaves tend to shift longitudinally on eac-li other and since this movement is resisted by friction between the leaves the spring cannot flex quickly to resist and absorb all shocks. By providing anti-friction means between the leaves the ease of relative move! ment between the leaves is increased.

lVhile the employment of rollers or other positive anti-friction means has been suggested previously it has been found that their use has had a weakening effect upon the longer of the two separated leaves due to the friction of the roller upon it. F urthermore practically all of the devices known prior to this invention necessitated either the use of a particular form of leaf or else the complete disassembly of the spring before the device could Vbe installed.

One object of this invention is to provide .anti-friction means which will not injure or weaken the spring leaves and which can he quickly and securely installed without disassembly of the spring. Y

Another object isthe provision of a unitary roller clip which will hold the antifriction roller in position between the leaves and at the same time provide a surface on which the roller will function without injuring the longer of the separated leaves.

A further object is the provision of a clip adjustable to accommodate sprino's of var 7- ing width'. y

(lther objects will appear from an examination of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part thereof and in which Y Fig. 1 is an end View and Fig. 2 a trans# verse cross sectional kview taken on the line 2-2 of Fig'. 3 of a portion of a leaf spring equipped with one embodiment of this'invention; Y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of such embodiment partly in section restingon the lower leaf;

Fig. t is an end view and Fig. 5 a cross sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of F 4 o-f a portion of a leaf `spring equipped with a. second embodiment of this invention;

` Fig. 6 is a plan which rests the em 4C and 5; 1

View of a spring leaf on odimen't shown in Figs.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of two'leaves'o'l" a leaf spring equipped with a. third embodi* ment of this invention; A

Fig. 8 is a transverse section and F ig, 9 a

sectional plan view and 9-9 respectively o f Fig. 7;

Fig..10 is a transverse view of a portion ithA a fourth em-V of a leaf spring equipped w bodiment 0f this invention;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectionall view of a portion of a leaf spring equipped with a fifth embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 12 is a planview of a portion of a leaf spring equippedV with a sixth embodiment of this invention; y A

Fig. V18 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 18- 18 of Fig. 12 of the embodiment of this invention there shown;

Fig. le is a transverse sectional view of a portion of leafv spring equipped with a seventh embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 15 is ank end view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 14; i Y i F ig. 16 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of aleaf spring equipped with an eighth embodimentof this invention; and

Figs. 17, 18 and 19 arel cross vsectional views of rollers that might be used in place of the cylindrical rollers shownin the other vfigures, of the drawing.l l

Referring to the drawings the'reference numerals 1 and 2 are used'to ldesignate respectively the upper and lower leaves of a leaf spring separated l.by a roller springl clip 3 made in accordance with this inventaken on the lines 8 8 l leaves arelonfffer than the lower.

Y given asl a result of the donger. leaf, on which the upper one in the tion. disclosed in the drawings but it will be observed that in each instaure they comprise a cage 4 by whicn anti-friction means 5 a re ield in position between the spring leaves and out of direct contact withthe longer spring 2. ln the drawings the longer spring, according to the practice vfollowed in certain vehicles such asV for instance the Ford automobile, is the lower spring. This is not, however, the universal practicemiany springs being formed in which the upper t) theless it will Abe noted that this i errance m spring construction does not atleet in any way the functioning of this invention. the cage` being Asecured to either the longer or shorter leaf depending upon the particular' embodiment en'iployed.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the cage 4 consists of a..strip of'hardened metal 6 bent ateach endy to form the leaf engaging portions T, then bent. bach :on itself to foriu the end cheeks 8 substantially. perpendicular to` and spaced away lfrom the central portion 9 and finally bent outwardly to forni the open ended pockets 10 here shown as rectangular in cross section.

lApertures 11 are cut in the parallel cheeks S to receive the anti-friction means 5 consisting in this embodiment of rollers 12 and 13.which.extend through the apertures 11 into the pockets 10. The roller 13 which, as shown iii-Fig. 1, is nearer the end of the leaf 1 is made slightly larger than the roller 12.- This is `done because the spring leaves are usually clamped together' at the center andconsequently have. a tendency when separated to flare toward the opening 14. The difference in diameterV of the rollers 12 and 13I is-.noteasily noticed so that it has been found advantageous to make the roller 13 easily distinguishable from the roller 12 by painting-,ita different color. The. apertures 11 are larger than the rollers 12 and 13 so thaty while vthe rollers are within the edges ofthe apertures they are not heldv against any translatory movement that might be 'flexing of the leaves. )The portions 7 .are curved to follow the curve-d sides of the leaf 2 and hence substantially enclose them, elimina-ti? 5 any tendency of the clip to separate rrom the leaf on which it is mountedwhen the lea ves are spaced further apart by reason of a shock. This is of particular importance when the the clip is mounted, ig case of springs of the type mentioned above as formed reversely to the type of spring shown inthe drawings. YThe clip 3 shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 comprises a cage 20 4resting on the longer leaf 2 and a roller 21. The cage 2O consists of cheeks 22 integral with and comprising the ends of a plate 23 which lies across the up- Various embodiments of this clip are Never# per face of the leaf 2. The cheeks 22 are 'formed by bending the ends of the plate 23 first at right angles in one direction and then baci; in the opposite direction thus providing double ply lower sections 24and single ply upper sections 25. Centrally depressed in the upper sections 25 are vertical grooves 26 into which extend the ends of the roller 21 resting on the plate 23.

The lower sections when the clip is installed, clamp both sides of the leaf 2 and as shown particularly in Figs. 5 and 6 prevent any shifting of the clip relative `to the leaves. The normal pressure exerted by the upperk leaf upon the lower leaf will prevent any longitudinal shifting of the roller clip. Thus the clip remains in the desired position without requiring the use of a set screw or other positive securing means.

T he roller clip 3 ofthe embodiment shown in Figs. '7, S and 9 comprises a cage 3() having a longitudinal central groove 31 therein. Since the cage 3() extends across the outer side of the leaf it is mounted upon the shorter leaf rather than upon thelongerleaf 2 as in the roller clip of the embodiments previously described. yThe cage is provided with end cheeks 32 .which extend downwardly at the sides of both leaves land 2 and into the grooves in the cheeks 32. project the ends of the single roller 21. From the cheeks 32 at each side of the groove 3 1 project lingers 33 and 34 which extend under the upper leaf 1 as shown in Figs.v '8 and 9 and hold the cage in position on is threaded through one cheek 32 and bears against the side of the leaf 1 and further holds the clip in place. Resting on the lower leaf 2 underv the roller 21 is a plate 36 having tongues 37 at each end, which tongues project into the grooves 31A asl shown particularly in Fig. 9. The roller 21 is thus kept out of Contact with fthe lower leaf by the plate 36 so that the action of the roller- ,does not wear the leaf 20. lhile it is obviously necessary to slide the cage 30 onto .the leaf 21 it has been found that the plate 36 under the pressure of the leaf 1 and the roller 2l will bear against the leaf 2 so as to prevent any slipping of the clip after assembly, even if the set screw 35 is omitted.

In order to apply a roller clip to leaves of different width and to clamp the cage to the sides of the shorter leaf a clip embodying a two part cage may be employed.. This form of clip is Yshown in Fig. 1() and is constructed along the general lines of the embodiment 24 of the plates 22,

theleaf.V :in addition a set screw 35 isprovided which flanges 46 projecting from the adjacent ends of the parts. By tightening the assembly45 the parts 41 and 42 are clamped lightly against the sides of the leaf 1 so that the cage 40 cannot shift its position. Upon the leaf 2 is placed a plate 47 on which lies the roller 21. The tongues 48 of the plate 47 extend into grooves 43 of the cage while the ends of the roller 21 lie in the grooves 45`of the end cheeks of the parts 41 and 42 between the lingers 44. This type of clip is applied to the leaf 2 without disassembling the spring and is held in place by the nut and bolt 45 as well as by the pressure of the upper leaf upon the roller 24 and plate 47.

Other forms of roller spring clips may be provided in which a single roller is more or less permanently mounted in the cage so that the clip may be assembled as a unit. Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive show this invention.

In Fig.s1 11 the ends of the plate 50 are bent first at right angles and then back in the opposite direction to provide the end cheeks, somewhat similar to the F 4. 5 and 6 embodiment but in this instance the roller 21 is held by the double ply portion while the single ply portion of the cheeks engages the `sides of the leaf 2. Each double ply portion 51 is provided with a pocket or depression 52 in the wall 53 for the reception of the ends of the roller 21.

Figs. 12 and 13 disclose an embodiment similar in general construction `to that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The end cheeks 61 of the cage 60, however, are not provided with exterior pockets nor are there apertures into which the rollers 12 and 13 will extend. In place thereof depressions 62 are formed in the cheeks 61 which will receive the ends of the rollers. The clip is held in place on the leaf 2 by the portions 63 which are formed to engage the sides of the leafk and hold the central portion of the plate 64 in place.

The clip 3 of the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 14 and 15 consists, as in the other embodiments, of a cage, here designated as 7l), and a roller 21. The cage comprises a hardened plate 71 having in each end two parallel slots 72. The portion73 defined by the slots is bent at right angles tol the main body of the plate in one direction while the outer portions 74 are bent at right angles te the main body of the plate in the opposite direction. In the inner faces of therportions 73 which constitute the end cheeks are formed depressions 75 which receive the ends of the roller 21. The portions 74 are bent to engage closely the edges of the leaf 2 and thus hold the clip in place.

In Fig. 16 the cage 80 of the clip 3 is very similar to the cage 2O of the Figs. 4, I and 6 embodiment except that the ends of the sides 81 are shaped to provide depressions 32 instead of grooves. The roller 21 such embodiments of .lies on the central portion of the plate S2 from which the cage is'forined and extends into the depressions 82.

Each embodiment of roller spring clip shown and describe-d is installed without disassembling the spring by simply separating the leaves with a. Vscrew driver or chisel.

Each clip carried by the longer leaves (Figs. 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16) is then placed thereupon either abovev the position it will occupy when fullyl installed, or else with one side plate in contact with the side of the leaf and the other resting on the inner face of the leaf near the otherside.

The separating means is now withdrawn so that the lea-ves will spring together, snap` ping the clip into place. lThen a clip of the type shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is in stalled the plate 36 and roller 21 are placed against the longer leaf and held there by the engagement of the depressions 31 in the ends 32 with the ends of the roller and the tongues 37 of the plate. rlhe entire clip is then slipped over the end of the shorter leaf 1, the roller and plate being inserted between the lea-ves and theL fingers 33 and 34 0uiding the cage'. When thedesired position is reached the set screw 35 if used is tightened.

The clip embodiment shown in Fig. 1U is installed in a slightly different manner it being, however, only necessary to separate the leaves.l The plate 47 and roller 21 are pnt in position between the leaves and are held thereby the parts 41, 42 which are applied to the shorter leaves angl clamped in place Fby the nut and bolt 45.

A consideration of the foregoing description and of the drafwings will disclose the fact that certain features are common to all the embodiments shown. Among these common features are the following (1) the cages extend completelyy across one face of one leaf and partly overhang the opposite face `so that the cage can only be removed from the partly enclosed leaf by shifting it longitudinally of the leaf to one end or by expanding the cage transversely of the leaf, (2) the ends of the cages extend at each side of each leaf, the clip rollers are prevented from translator-y shifting between the leaves by depressions formed in the inner faces of each end of the cages into which the ends of the rollers extend, (4) the face of the longer leaf adjacent the shorter leaf is protected from the .wear of the roller by means of a hardened plate, (5) the clip may be inserted by separating the leaves without disassembling them. i

In, addition to the rolling Vmotion which results from the use of the cylindrical roller 21 it may be desired to use a roller having a non-circular cross section to permit a rocking or wearing of the spring under certain shocks. This may be obtained by using rollers 'having for .example a clip all provide means for protectin'gfthe longer lent against Wearby the roller but plates protecting the shorter le'a'f'may also be supplied ii' desired by employing plates similar to 36 having tongues projecting'nto the grooves or pockets.

While certain embodiments of this invention have been shown and described n'e :ire not to be limited thereby since others may` be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as setpt'orthV in. the following claims.

Having thus described our invention that which We claim as new and for which We de sire protection" of Letters Patent of the United States is theiiollon'ing:

l. A roller spring` clip adapted to separate ,the adjacent leaves of aspring comprising a cage substantially enclosing an ffii-ictionally yengaging. the sides ot' one leali and having a' plate engaging upon and extending completely across the face of one. leaf and cheeks at ythe .ends of: said plate 'and'.L the sides ot said leaves. in; combination with a roller contacting said plate and guided/and confined at its endsby saidclhecksjthe latter being ornielv to permit aprescribed measure of play'ot said roller. in the/lengt tudinal direction of rsaid spring.

2. A roller spring clip adapted (to yseparate the adjacent'leaves oiti spring` oomprising a cage substantiallyc enclosing and lrictioiially vengaging the sides of vone Vleat` and having a plate engaging upon and extending completely across the face 'oli said 'leai and vcheeks integral witlit's'aid'plate'at tlieeiids thereofv and at the rsides 'ot said learesiii in`A combination with a roller `conmeting said plate rand `guided and confined at its ends by said cheeks'l the "latter being termed `to permit a'prescribeil mea-si'ire ot play of said roller in the 'longitudinal dition of said spring.

ie y

43i if rollerspring clip adapted to sepnpo'n and entending completely measure ot play ot said roller in the .lie-619.98

#ral with said plate bent angulinly into two-ply 'loifmation and, 'fashioned to provide end checksv at the sides il? the spring jandparts combined therewith which frictionally engage the sides 'oi' said lea'l in combination with a roller contacting said plate andV guided and conlined at its ends by said cheeks,y the latter'being formed vto permit aprescribed measure of play oit said roller in the longitudinal direction o'lfsaid spring. i'

4;. roller spi-ing clip adapted to separate the adiacent leaves ot a spring coinpiising a cage ha' ng a plate engaging upon and extending completely across tliejiiac'e oi' one lea-f; andhaving poi'tions'at the vends oi' and integral liv'ith said plate bent downward to enga-ge trictionally over the sides oi said legati and then bent up'ivard to provide end cheeks at the sides of said' spring in combination 'with a roller contacting said plate and guided and confined `at its ends by said cheeks, the latter'beingtorined to permit a prescribed measure of play of' said roller in the longitudinal direction of said spring. y Y' A roller spring clip adapted to separate the adjacent leaves of a spring coinprising a cage having a'plate'engaging l i across the 'face of one leaf and having lportions at "the ends ,of andintegral with said plate bent downward to engage frictionaliy over the sides of saidilea'fyand then bent upward to provide end cheeks at'the sides .of said spring and again bent downward and angularly to bear .vide pockets, said cheeks having openings.

incoinbination with a roller contacting said plate and having'its end portions extended through said openings and intosaidI pockets` said "openings permitting a prescribed lungi tudinal direction et said spring.`

In testimony'nliereo'l1 we allix our signa tures.

i EDNRD L. RUNS/i.

against said cheeks 'and' pro-- 

